Thursday, April 18, 2013

This week for the Thursday Blog Project Susanna asked us to write about the following: Talk about your first trip to Disney. What was your favorite ride? Is it still your favorite ride?

I only remember bits and pieces of my first trip to Disney World. I believe it was when I was around 7 years-old (maybe add a year or so). I remember Epcot had just opened and my parents made it a priority to make it to EVERY country in the park. A lot of a little one as you might imagine. We also went on the ride in Spaceship Earth which was UBER COOL as far as I was concerned! In the main park, I have distinct memories of the Peter Pan ride and the Haunted Mansion. How we floated on the Peter Pan ride kept me guessing and the Haunted Mansion surely freaked me out!

Another thing that freaked me out were the Disney characters walking around. Seriously, as a kid as much as I loved Mickey and Minnie Mouse I was UBER SCARED by them. Thankfully, it was just a phase I went through as a child and was able to have fun with it when I went back as an adult!

My last time to Disney World was in 1998. I went there with a someone special to me and we stayed at one of the Disney resort - The Polynesian Resort to be exact. It was nice because the resort was right off the monorail so getting around the main parks was a breeze! We also got special passes that resort guests could purchase that allowed us to stay in the main park for an hour or two after it closed. During this time, the most popular rides remained open. This included Space Mountain - a ride I fell in LOVE with during this particular trip.

Every night, we dined at a different Disney restaurant. Can I just say - FANTASTIC food! We also had a lot of room service for breakfast and I was getting a tad tired of the same thing every morning.... I probably should have mixed it up a bit!

As much as I loved staying at one of the resorts, it was a bit of a distraction from spending time at the parks. I'd like to think we balanced things out nicely, but I'm not totally sure that is the case.

Going to Disney as an adult was surely different. The Haunted Mansion didn't scare me anymore and I didn't have to guess how the Peter Pan ride worked. However, I tried to put myself back in a child's frame of mine so I could get the most out of my experience -- I didn't want the "Disney Magic" to be totally ruined. The other things was that a few years prior to this trip, I actually worked at The Disney Store. In someways, I had to totally forget all the secrets behind the "Disney Magic" that I had learned during my time working at the store. In other ways, I think that experience enhanced the trip.

One things I have never gotten to do at Disney World is eat at Cinderella's Castle. Hopefully, I'll go back again and get to do that. Also, I'd like to stay at another one of the resorts. It was fun the last time and totally worth the cost.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I hope I've been able to give you somewhat of a sense of my memories of "The Happiest Place On Earth".

Now that I've shared my Disney memories, please take a moment to see what my fellow bloggers have to say about their Disney memories:

Monday, April 15, 2013

For the Thursday blog project last week, Melissa asked use to write about: Talk about a small world situation that happened to you personally

When I was going through my divorce five years ago, the thought of crossing the ex's path was unthinkable. Seriously, I prayed the only time I would see him was when we were in court. The divorce process we went through wasn't easy and the last thing I wanted was to have to see him when I was out and about trying to have a decent day. After the divorce, I crossed paths with him on several occasions within a two year period or so. On some occasions it made sense as a good friend of mine lived in his parent's neighbor. I wasn't about to not visit my friend in their neighborhood, but I know those visits came with the possiblitiy I would cross paths with him. Then, one day, I didn't cross paths with him anymore. Truthfully, it was nice thing for me.

Almost two months ago, I crossed paths with the ex again. This time, not in my friend's/his parent's neighborhood. Though it makes sense that we were both in this same area, it was still unexpected and it seems like the odds of us passing each other were slim to none. Several weeks later, I saw him again.

Now, I haven't shared this with many people. I have maybe told three people, tops, about it. The reason being is that it wasn't THAT big of a deal - at least not to me. However, I get why these people have made such a big deal of it - remember, it wasn't an easy divorce.

What I find most humorous about the whole "small world" encounters is that each and every person I've told about it has asked me the same thing: "Did you say anything to him? Did he say anything to you?" (Most recently heard this past weekend when I told my mom about it - which is the only reason I bring this up.) The smart-ass in me replied each and every time, Oh, yeah! We gave each other big hugs and found a place to chat for awhile. (Something that would NEVER happen.) Then of course I'd say, "No" and explain that it was just a random passing. What I most important about these "small world" encounters is that I was just fine - as I would expect to be at this point.

In many way I get this reaction from other. I mean what are the odds we would cross paths in such a large metropolitan area? But I've been told before there are no accidents so apparently there is a reason for it happening.

I understand that most of this doesn't make sense if you don't know me in real life, but know that for me it means something.

Now that I've talked about one of my "small world" encounters, please take a moment to see what my fellow bloggers have to say about theirs:

Friday, April 5, 2013

This week for the Thursday Blog Project, Sara challenged us to the following: For the next topic, I want to talk about the last word. We've all been in a situation where we wish we'd had the last word with something (like in an argument or debate), and never got the chance to. What situation presented itself where you wanted to have that last word, but didn't get the chance? Why didn't you? And, if you had that chance again, what would you say?

I've struggled with what I was going to write about, but as much as I don't want to put this "out there," keeping it in my head will do me no good. In someways, I write this as a selfless act with somewhat of a hope that the person it's directed towards will, in fact, find it and think about what I have to say. In other ways, this is a selfish act. I have all these thoughts I have to work through and this might be the best way to do it.

If, in fact, this person does see this post, I hope they are not mad at me and think about some of the things I have to say.

To my dear friend:I'd like to say the news you shared with me recently didn't affect me, however I would be lying if I did. I'd also like to say that I didn't realize it would affect me in the way it has, but that too would be a lie. Lastly, I'd like to be able to say that I don't know why your news had such an impact on me... but that would be the biggest lie amongst them all. It's for all those reasons I write this open letter which I hope will be my last words on this particular matter.My heart dropped when you told me the news the other day. I believe you already know this - how could you not? It amazes me how I could have such a strong reaction considering I've never met the person in question, but since you have talked about them so much I feel some odd connection to them. Furthermore, and more importantly, I know that at the end of the day, regardless of any drama or frustration they may add to your life you unconditionally love them - how could you not? They are your family.But it is not their condition that has me thinking about this so much, it's about how you are doing and reacting to it. From the moment I met you, I could tell you were the oldest of all your siblings. You take care of people in a way that only an oldest would (or even could). I guess in someways this has always concerned me; however, it concerns me even more given the circumstances. You even said it yourself - you have responsibilities because of the position you hold in your family. As someone who has put taking care of others first for a long time I get where you are coming from. I also understand that you need to take care of yourself as well. However, the one question you did not address (and I wonder about) is who will take care of you? Maybe you have someone in your life to take care of you and I am just not aware of this fact. Maybe not. Regardless, this is just something I've always wondered about you and current circumstances make me question this even more. Despite the fact you are not my responsibility, I care about you such that I am in fact concerned. Please know that I'm not saying this to make you feel bad about sharing this news with me - that is not my intent. Actually, I am flattered and honored that you trust me enough to share such family matters with me. This is just me managing my feelings about everything.At this point I promise you the following:• I don't see this situation as one that can't be overcome or that is heading towards a less desirable ending. It's more or less a new challenge to be faced. A challenge I believe you and your family can handle.• I am always just a phone call away. Even the strongest of people need a bit of support.• This won't change how I treat you. This won't be my primary focus when I send you a random text or when we chat and/or hangout. Yes, I probably will ask you how things are going in regards to this matter, but I won't focus on it or belabor the topic.Most importantly, I promise you these are my last words to you about how I feel. It's now all about you, and your family. As it should be.With love,Froggie

Now that I have shared my "last words" with you, please take a moment to see what my fellow bloggers' last words are: